Masterminds of war and violence in DRC’s eastern provinces are often after its minerals.
To put a stop to further violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC by proxy armed groups and militias, leaders of the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region, ICGLR on February 24, 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, signed a regional peace deal. Under the agreement, a neutral international force is to be set up to eradicate M 23, FDLR and all armed groups as well as patrol and secure border zones.
Legacy Of Instability
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by recurrent wars and violence since independence from Belgium in 1960. The 1996-1997 Rwandan-backed uprising by Tutsi rebels toppled ailing and long-serving President Mobutu Sese Seko. In August 1998, a new war broke out, with the rebels again supported by Rwanda. Mobutu’s successor, President Laurent Kabila, was assassinated in January 2001 and his son and current leader, Joseph Kabila, took over. The latest war in the east was launched last year by M 23 rebels in protest against government’s alleged failure to fully implement the terms of a 1999 peace deal.
Misrule, Weak Central Government
Decades of colonialism and oppressive national rule have made DRC the scene of recurrent atrocities. The tumultuous years of power struggle and international interference that followed the country’s independence, paved the way - beginning in 1971 - for nearly three decades of autocratic and corrupt rule under President Mobutu Sese Seko. During which the gradual decay of State institutions left entire communities throughout the country to fend for themselves.
Culture Of Impunity
Although the DRC is a signatory to the Rome Statute, it has not yet been incorporated into domestic law. Some military tribunals that have jurisdiction over international crimes have brought a few cases to trial, but so far, only low-ranking soldiers have been found guilty. Even when prison sentences are handed down, the state of the penitentiary system is such that most of those convicted escape almost immediately. The military and other government security forces continue to be accused of being the source of instability and among the worst perpetrators of daily human rights violations.
‘Cursed’ Endowment, Proxy Wars
The DRC is rich in minerals, has fertile land, huge areas of rainforest and its rivers offer abundant hydroelectric potential. Mineral resources include cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore and coal. But the country's vast mineral resources have turned out to be a curse - often fuelling long-simmering proxy wars provoked by envious neighbours and other foreign interests.
Porous Borders, Neglect
The State only exerts nominal control over many parts of the country. As a result, the smuggling of minerals across porous borders is widespread. Armed groups have increased their operations in a security vacuum created by the abandonment of army posts by defectors and the redeployment of government troops to confront mutineers. The weakness of government structures undermines attempts to prevent atrocities and protect civilians. This is particularly evident in the east where the government has historically been incapable of controlling movements across borders.
Regional Interference, Exploiting Ethnicity
Neighbouring Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda have at different times been accused of exploiting ethnicity to create and support rebel groups in eastern DRC. The final report of the UN Group of Experts on the DRC released on November 15, 2012 accused Rwanda of providing assistance to M 23 and other armed groups in the DRC.
What Chances For Peace Deal?
The February 24, 2013 regional peace deal signed in Addis Ababa is yet another attempt to restore stability to DRC’s restive provinces. But its success is largely dependent on DRC authorities improving governance, security, the military’s training and performance and a commitment by external actors to cease providing support to armed groups.
